THE HERALD
Vol. 10, Issue 4
www.harberherald.com
Har-Ber High School 300 Jones Road Springdale, AR
February 3 , 2015
Students learn how to choose a SLC Home Access Center will allow students to choose their SLC path KERRIGAN READING > FEATURES
Since the idea of implementing Small Learning Communities was first introduced to the school, several decisions have been made that will shape the future of Har-Ber, including a new school mission statement, “Empowering students through personalized education.” Plans have been set in motion and goals have been made for the 5 communities that will exist for the years to come. These 5 communities are Medical Education Services (MEDS), Arts, Communication and Design (ACDC), Architecture, Construction, Manufacturing and Engineering (ACME), Public Health and Education There will be an estimated 350 to 450 students in each community, and classes and electives, including global classes, will be centered around these communities. When faced with the future and career plans, students are worried that they will make the wrong choice for the community they want to be in. Although it has not officially been determined if students can change and how often
Debate students prep for mock trial
they can change communities, there are several options. Students may be able to change after sophomore year, stay in that community for a full year, and change at the end of each school year, coming to a maximum of 3 changes throughout high school. “It would be too much of a quagmire to let them change in the middle of the school year,” said Chris Venters, instructional facilitator. The other option is that students will be able to change once, and only once. Changing communities will be very difficult for both students and faculty, especially if the change is drastic, like from ACDC to MEDS. However, it can be possible. “It’s probably easier on you as a student if you don’t change. But if you don’t like it after your sophomore year, you’ll be able to tell if you need to stay there or not,” said Bowlin. Electives are currently being assigned to the SLC that they fit into the best. Students within the SLCs will have the first choice of the elective that is catered toward that SLC, and then students outside of that SLC will be assigned these electives based on availability. The only limitations on the amount of global classes a student can take is strictly based on their schedule, which is the same way it is now. Along with the communities there will be a teacher advisor who is responsible for mentoring a small group of gradespecific students from a common community, the groups projected to
Hours upon hours of work have prepared debate students for one of their biggest events of the year: mock trial. Mock trial is a competition in which students go and compete in the scenario of a real court case. “We get a case, and then we get a couple months to look at it and build both sides,” said junior Sheridan Ellis. Ellis, along with junior Parker Dunn and seniors Xiomara Caldera and Kerim Gales, have been given the role of attorney. Only once students arrive at the competition do they find out which side of the case they are on. Until that time, students must get themselves ready to take on either role. “Our job is making questions for witnesses, opening and closing speeches, cross-examinations, things like that,” said Caldera. Mock trial is also a helpful tool for those looking to go into the legal profession. “It’s good preparation for people interested in careers in law,” said Gales. The work that mock trial requires is taxing, and students are overwhelmed with how much must be done before the day of the competition. “I stress about mock trial more than any class,” said Ellis. In previous years, the debate team has not been able to achieve their goals. “We didn’t advance as far as we’d like,” said Gales. This year, however, hopes are high. “I definitely think we’ll do well,” said Caldera. Mock trial will take place in Little Rock on March 6 and 7. The competition may be viewed from an audience, so student attendance is encouraged. “It’s stressful, but it’s fun,” said Caldera. “It’s worth it.”
President Barack Obama announced Jan. 8 a proposal for “America’s College Promise,” a program that would pay for two years of community college for students who maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend classes at least part-time. According to the Northwest Arkansas Community College Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Steven Hinds, the idea of making two years of community college free is still something being discussed. “We think it could have a very positive impact, and we believe, in general, that it’s a real bonus that this discussion is placing increased focus on the important role community colleges play in educating our citizens,” said Hinds. The original announcement indicated that the overall cost $60 billion spread over ten years, and the federal government would fund 75 percent of the costs and the states would be responsible for the other 25 percent; however, a limited state budget will require decision-makers to look carefully at the expenditure. The date that the program will go into effect and how it will affect current students at NWACC and other community colleges is unknown. If the free tuition plan is instated, an influx in the student population is expected. “While an enrollment increase would be expected, it’s not possible to say with precision what kind of increase we would experience. We can say that in previous years, the college experienced double-digit growth in enrollment and was able to handle the influx well,” said Hinds. According to a report from 4029 News, the average community college tuition is $3,300, and the plan would help nine million students save an
are also in charge of presenting their respective videos to the student body. These videos advertise the possible jobs, classes, and careers that each community is geared toward. “These videos help to find the best fit for every student,” said Chris Venters. These advisory groups will be chose SEE LEARNING > PAGE 4
Free tuition provides options for all students SAMANTHA STANSBURY > EDITOR
NEWS 3
be between 20 and 25 students. There are 3 officers in an SLC, the facilitator, advisory liaison, and community liaison. The facilitator is responsible for making sure everything works within the group. The liaisons are co-leaders and take care of interests and activities that are specific to either academics or community. The SLC facilitators
Obama proposes new college promise
HOLLAND PRIMM > OPINON
Winter Homecoming Queen senior Bre Cassinelli and other maids discuss court experience.
Sophomores and juniors learn how to use Chromebooks to access their Home Access Center where they will choose their classes and Small Learning Community for next school year.
average of $3,800 a year. “We know that we offer a highquality education that’s affordable and accessible for all,” said Hinds. “The advantages of attending a community college in general are that the tuition and fees are lower than students find at a four-year institution and most of the time the community college is able to offer smaller class sizes that enable a better teacher-student ratio.” For prospective students like senior Shae Pilcher and Veronica De La Torre, NWACC is the best option for the career path in cosmetology they’re both planning to pursue. Pilcher has heard great things about NWACC and hopes to attend because of the low cost of tuition and the smaller learning environment. “I believe that [free tuition] would be smart for people who can’t afford college right out of high school, and it would
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help lots of people get on their feet if they took it seriously,” said Pilcher. De La Torre will use NWACC as a foundation of higher education to complete basic and core courses after she graduates from the high school cosmetology program. “I think [free tuition] is a great opportunity. I think it will encourage more students to go to college,” said De La Torre. According to the Community College Research Center, while 81% of entering community college students indicate they want a bachelor’s degree or higher, only 25% of entering students actually transfer to a fouryear institution within five years. “I think it would push people to really think about their future and be able to make more of themselves than a minimum wage worker,” said Pilcher.
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SPORTS 11